PitchFest
PitchFest is an event designed to connect authors with agents and editors where the writers pitch their manuscripts. ITW has many success stories resulting from this annual effort. And given PitchFest takes place in New York City, we’re able to bring an unprecedented number of top agents to the table.

PitchFest is set up like a speed-dating event. Attendees pitch their completed manuscripts to an agent or acquiring editor for a few minutes, get the agent’s or editor’s reaction, then move on to a different agent or editor. The session lasts for a total of three-and-a-half hours.
For writers seeking advice on how to edit a novel or improve their writing or simply have more face time with an agent or editor, we recommend registering for QueryFest, as attendees will receive 15 minutes of personalized advice from an esteemed acquiring editor or agent during these sessions.
PitchFest 2023 will take place in-person at the Sheraton Times Square, New York on Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 2:00pm to 4:30pm, with selected agents from 4:30 to 5:30 (please see the FAQ page for further details on how PitchFest works.) To register to attend the in-person PitchFest 2023 event, click here.
PLEASE NOTE: PitchFest is available only in a package with ThrillerFest, Master Class, and/or CraftFest.
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Samantha Skal
PitchFest Co-Director
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Tessa Wegert
PitchFest Co-Director
Read about the personal success stories from authors who connected with their new agents at PitchFest.
Questions? Email Samantha Skal or Tessa Wegert, PitchFest Co-Directors.
2023 SPONSORS
ITW Community
- patrons
- sponsors
- supporters
Actives
Sandra Brannan
Clive Cussler*
Dirk Cussler*
Shane Gericke*
Faye and Jonathan Kellerman*
John Lescroart
Joanie McDonell
Karin Slaughter
Larry D. Thompson
Associates
Tucker Andersen
Actives
Kathleen Antrim*
David Baldacci*
Neal Baer
Steve Berry*
J. Jackson Bentley
Gary Braver*
Sandra Brown*
Dale Brown*
John Case*
Lee Child*
James Comey
Michael Connelly
Glenn Cooper
Richard Curtis*
Jack F. Du Brul*
David Dun*
Joseph Finder
Brian Garfield*
Tess Gerritsen*
Leslie Glass*
Jeff Gunhus
Vicki Hinze*
Lisa Jackson
Alex Kava*
Raymond Khoury
Deborah LeBlanc
Eric Van Lustbader*
D. P. Lyle M.D.*
Gayle Lynds*
Steve Martini
Brad Meltzer
David Morrell*
Katherine Neville*
Michael Palmer (2004-2013)*
James Patterson*
Andrew Peterson
Douglas Preston*
Lissa Price
Keith Raffel
Christopher Reich*
James Rollins*
M.J. Rose*
JoAnn Ross
Hank Phillippi Ryan
John Saul*
Andy Siegel
Susan Arnout Smith
R.L. Stine*
Brad Thor*
Lisa Unger
Paul Vidich
Associates
Maria Carvainis
Leisure Books*
JK Franko*
Ed Mitchell*
Henry Morrison*
Adrian Muller*
Bill Sewell
Tor/Forge Books*
Jennifer S. Wilkov
Actives
Steve Alten*
Ashok Banker
Ted Bell*
Emily Benedek
Janet Berliner-Gluckman*
Gary Birken
Mike Bond
Sandra Brannan
Allison Brennan
Mike Brogan
Jan Burke*
Lorenzo Carcaterra
Lincoln Child*
Stephen Coonts*
Brian D’Amato
B. J. Daniels
Nelson DeMille
Eileen Dreyer*
Joanna Elm
Linda Fairstein*
Vince Flynn (2004-2013)*
Chris Fox
Joel Goldman*
Howard Gordon
Heather Graham*
Thomas Greanias
Gary Grossman
Humphrey Hawksley
Bonnie Hearn Hill*
Mark Imhof
Alan Jacobson
Judith Kelman*
Harley Jane Kozak
Jon Land
Dennis Lynds (2004-2005)*
Patricia McLinn
Michael McMenamin
Francine Mathews*
Nan McCann
Kyle Mills*
Twist Phelan
Christopher Rice*
Wendy Roberts
John Sandford
James Siegel*
Carl T. Smith*
Deborah Smith*
Taylor Smith*
L.A. Starks
Mariah Stewart*
Peter Straub*
Lee Strobel
M. Diane Vogt*
Thomas Waite
Stuart Woods*
Associates
Linda Adams*
Brilliance Audio*
Mike Brogan
Brian Godden
Steve Hadden*
Emory Hackman
Inkwell Management, LLC*
Jennifer Kreischer
Mario Mastro*
Vicki Montet
Amy Rivers
*original member joined by June 4, 2005